Sept. 23, 2024
Here are five recent blockbuster projects that have made the most of what the UK has to offer.
UK - Hollywood blockbusters such as ‘Beetlejuice
2’ and ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ have increasingly turned to the UK
for their production needs, leveraging the country’s diverse locations,
state-of-the-art facilities, and attractive tax incentives.
‘Beetlejuice
2’, directed by Tim Burton, utilized several iconic UK locations to bring
its fantastical world to life. The production began in May 2023, with interior
scenes shot at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden. Other notable locations
included Princess Helena College in Hertfordshire, a former boarding school,
and the expansive West Wycombe Estate in Buckinghamshire, which provided the
perfect backdrop for the film’s pivotal funeral scene. The UK’s rich
architectural heritage and varied landscapes offered the ideal settings for the
film’s unique aesthetic.
Similarly, ‘Deadpool
& Wolverine’, directed by Shawn Levy, benefited from the UK’s extensive
filming infrastructure. The production kicked off at Pinewood Studios, a
renowned facility with a long history of hosting major film projects.
Additional scenes were filmed at Bovingdon Airfield Studios, a former military
air base in Hertfordshire, and various outdoor locations such as Holkham Beach
in Norfolk and Pitstone Quarry in Buckinghamshire. These sites provided the
diverse environments needed for the film’s action-packed sequences and
dystopian settings.
The British
Film Commission played a crucial role in facilitating these productions,
offering support in sourcing locations, crews, and navigating the UK’s tax
credit system. The UK’s Film Tax Relief (FTR) has been a significant draw for
international productions, providing substantial financial incentives that make
high-budget films more economically viable.
The success
of these films underscores the UK’s position as a premier destination for
blockbuster filmmaking. With its combination of historical sites, modern
facilities, and supportive film industry infrastructure, the UK continues to
attract major Hollywood projects, contributing to its reputation as a global
hub for cinematic excellence.